Florida Cracks Down on Porch Pirates and Retail Theft: What You Need to Know - GoVets

Overview

In recent years, porch piracy has become an increasing issue affecting many people, including some of our own customers here at GoVets. To combat this growing threat, Florida has enacted tougher laws to protect consumers from package theft. These legislative measures, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, bring substantial changes to the criminal penalties associated with retail theft and porch piracy. In this blog, we will explore the recent changes to Florida's laws, provide insights from various news sources, and offer practical recommendations to help you protect your packages.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Details of the New Porch Piracy Law
  3. Impacts on Retail Theft and Porch Piracy
  4. Recommendations to Prevent Porch Piracy
  5. Porch Piracy Laws in Other States
  6. What to Do if You Are a Victim of Porch Piracy
  7. Final Thoughts
  8. References

1. Introduction

Porch piracy—the theft of packages left outside people’s homes—has become a pressing issue in Florida. With online shopping on the rise, more and more people have fallen victim to this type of crime. At GoVets, we've heard from our customers about the inconvenience and frustration caused by package theft. As of October 1, 2024, Florida has introduced stricter penalties for these offenses, with new provisions under House Bill 549.

These new measures are part of a broader effort to crack down on retail crime and make neighborhoods safer for residents. In this blog, we will explore the specifics of these new laws, discuss their impact, and share useful steps you can take to protect your deliveries.

2. Details of the New Porch Piracy Law

On April 9, 2024, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 549, introducing tougher penalties for retail theft and porch piracy. The bill addresses a variety of offenses, including organized retail theft and theft from a person's porch. Key provisions of the bill include:

  • Third-Degree Felony for Retail Theft: When five or more people combine to commit retail theft, it is now classified as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison.

  • Second-Degree Felony for Use of Social Media: Using social media to plan retail theft elevates the crime to a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

  • First-Degree Felony for Using Firearms: If a firearm is used during the crime, it becomes a first-degree felony, with penalties of up to 30 years in prison.

  • Porch Piracy Penalties: Stealing property worth less than $40 from a porch is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor, while repeat offenses or thefts of items valued at $40 or more are elevated to a third-degree felony.

  • Extended Timeframe for Charges: The time period in which multiple thefts can be combined into a single felony charge has been  Sheriff Eric Flowers from Indian River County expressed that "The new legislation is certainly helpful for us," especially during times when porch piracy is more prevalent, such as the holiday season, as mentioned in WPTV News.

This law was designed to deter both organized retail theft and porch piracy, ensuring that criminals face significant consequences for their actions.

3. Impacts on Retail Theft and Porch Piracy

The new law is expected to have a positive impact on reducing theft in Florida. According to Governor DeSantis, the growing aggressiveness of shoplifters has led to increased costs for retailers, which often translates to higher prices for consumers. By cracking down on these crimes, the state aims to make shopping environments safer and prevent the need for excessive security measures that inconvenience consumers.

Indian River County Sheriff Eric Flowers also noted that the new legislation is "certainly helpful," especially during the holiday season, when porch piracy is more common. The stricter penalties are meant to deter thieves from targeting neighborhoods and retail stores,  Governor DeSantis stated, "It also just has a demoralizing effect on people when you go in and you want to buy toothpaste and it’s like Fort Knox because it’s all under lock and key for basic items." This quote, originally reported by Florida Phoenix, underscores the negative effects of theft prevention measures on consumer experience.

Trish Routte, spokesperson for SWFL Crime Stoppers, mentioned, "Maybe having them in jail a little bit longer, we'll give them a little more time to contemplate the direction that their lives are headed in." This sentiment, shared in Fox 4 News, highlights the potential long-term impact of harsher penalties on offenders.

  • Florida Phoenix: Governor DeSantis stated, "It also just has a demoralizing effect on people when you go in and you want to buy toothpaste and it’s like Fort Knox because it’s all under lock and key for basic items."

  • Fox 4 News: Trish Routte, spokesperson for SWFL Crime Stoppers, mentioned, "Maybe having them in jail a little bit longer, we'll give them a little more time to contemplate the direction that their lives are headed in."

  • WPTV News: Sheriff Eric Flowers said, "The new legislation is certainly helpful for us," particularly as porch piracy is more prevalent during the holiday season.

  • Florida Senate Bill Summary: The bill makes it clear that stealing from a porch is punishable by increasing penalties based on the value of the stolen item and  The Florida Senate Bill Summary emphasized that stealing from a porch is punishable by increasing penalties based on the value of the stolen item and previous offenses, ensuring repeat offenders face harsher consequences.

4. Recommendations to Prevent Porch Piracy

To protect yourself from porch piracy, consider the following steps:

  1. Use Secure Package Lockers: Many delivery companies offer secure package lockers where you can have your deliveries sent instead of leaving them on your porch.

  2. Install Video Doorbells: Video doorbells such as Ring cameras can act as a deterrent and provide valuable evidence if a theft does occur.

  3. Schedule Deliveries for When You Are Home: If possible, schedule deliveries for times when you are home to receive the package.

  4. Require a Signature: Choose delivery options that require a signature to ensure packages are not left unattended.

  5. Ask a Neighbor for Help: If you know you will not be home, ask a trusted neighbor to collect the package for you.

5. Porch Piracy Laws in Other States

Other states are also implementing similar laws to address porch piracy and retail theft. Below is a summary of measures being taken across the country:

  • California: Under California law, theft of packages valued at more than $950 is considered a felony. California has also implemented measures to classify repeated porch piracy offenses as felonies, regardless of the value of the stolen property.

  • Texas: Texas law makes porch piracy a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in state jail, if the stolen property is valued at less than $2,500.

  • New York: In New York, theft of packages is typically classified as petit larceny, but repeated offenses or theft involving higher values can escalate to felony charges.

These states, like Florida, have recognized the impact of porch piracy on communities and have introduced stricter penalties to deter would-be thieves. For more details, you can refer to the government websites for each state:

6. What to Do if You Are a Victim of Porch Piracy

If you suspect that a package has been stolen from your porch, take the following steps:

  1. Contact the Seller: Reach out to the seller or retailer to let them know about the theft. They may be able to replace the item or provide a refund.

  2. Check with Your Neighbors: Sometimes packages are delivered to the wrong address. Check with your neighbors to see if they received your package.

  3. File a Police Report: Report the theft to your local law enforcement. While not all porch piracy incidents lead to arrests, filing a report helps authorities track trends and prioritize patrols.

  4. Provide Evidence: If you have a video doorbell or security camera, provide any footage to law enforcement to assist in their investigation.

  5. Submit a Claim: Contact the delivery service and submit a claim. Many carriers have policies in place to reimburse customers for lost or stolen packages.

7. References

  1. Florida Phoenix: DeSantis signs tougher penalties for retail theft, ‘porch piracy,’ into law. Florida Phoenix

  2. Fox 4 News: Goodbye Porch Pirates: Theft penalties increase in Florida starting October 1. Fox 4 News

  3. WPTV News: New Florida law takes effect to pinch porch pirates. WPTV

  4. Florida Senate: CS/HB 549 — Theft. Florida Senate

  5. WPTV Political: 'Law and order state:' Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Stuart to announce retail theft crackdown. WPTV

8. Final Thoughts

Porch piracy is an unfortunate byproduct of the growing trend of online shopping. However, Florida’s recent legislation aims to mitigate these crimes through harsher penalties for offenders. At GoVets, we value our customers' experiences and hope that these measures make a difference in your day-to-day safety. In the meantime, following our recommendations can help protect your deliveries and ensure your online shopping experience remains a positive one.